Wigan Athletic will host Reading in an important game on Saturday afternoon, as one of only five teams who have only suffered a single defeat in the Championship this season with kickoff at 5 pm.
The Reading FC squad has performed well compared to last season after a near miss with relegation.
However, there are times when the team looks vulnerable and has shown this in three defeats which were by at least three goals.
Manager Paul Ince would have had high hopes for three points when hosting Sunderland FC in midweek, with his side having previously posted four successive wins at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
However, the Black Cats ran out 3-0 victors leaving them with one of the worst defensive records in the division.
Leam Richardson’s Wigan Athletic started the season with just one win in their first six matches, but one of their defeats was the most important statistic.
Since then, Wigan has won at Luton Town and Huddersfield Town – two of last season’s playoff teams – and it highlights the level of job that Richardson continues to do at the North-West outfit.
Richardson has also played one match fewer than the majority of other teams above them, while half of their 10 goals conceded came in one match.
Wigan vs. Reading Head to Head
Both sides have 16 games against each other, with hosts taking seven wins while visitors with six wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Huddersfield 1-2 Wigan
- Luton Town 1-2 Wigan
- Wigan 1-1 West Brom
- Wigan 1-5 Burnley
Away
- Reading 0-3 Sunderland
- Reading 2-1 Stoke City
- Sheffield United 4-0 Reading
- Millwall 0-1 Reading
Wigan Team News
Richardson won’t make any changes to the Wigan XI unless there are injuries. Nathan Broadhead and Charlie Wyke, who recently returned after a long-term absence, will have to remain patient in their bid to earn their first starts of the season.
Reading Team News
Due to Reading’s recent defeat, Baba Rahman will be considered for a left-wing-back start. The Ghana international may be one of several alterations made by Ince, with Yakou Meite potentially coming into contention for a start after proving his fitness against Sunderland.
Prediction and Odds
While Wigan currently sits in a more favourable position than Reading, we feel that the Royals will be able to grab a draw in this match.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Goals Under 3.5